World No. 175 in squash wants to compete in the Lagos International Squash Classics for fun

Posted : 10 May 2023

As the Lagos International Squash Classics serves off at the Molade-Okoya Thomas Hall Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, one of the tournament's favourites, Babatunde Ajagbe, has refused the tag, saying he is in the tournament to enjoy his game.

Nigeria's highest-ranked squash player, Babatunde Ajagbe, said on Tuesday that he was not under pressure to win the Lagos International Squash Classics.

In an interview with ASN, Ajagbe said that he would not put himself under pressure to impress during the competition.

Ajagbe, number 175 according to the world ranking, explained that he was in the tournament to have fun and fully express himself, while winning the tournament came as a secondary pursuit.

"It's nice coming back to Nigeria to play the Lagos International Squash Classics because we last had it in 2018 about five years ago."

"The International Classics is an opportunity for the players to play because some of them have been training with nothing to show for it, and now the opportunity has presented itself."

"Some Nigerian players cannot travel out because of logistics issues such as transportation, visa hitches, and lack of sponsorship, while this classic provides them the opportunity to get an international ranking," he said.

On the expectations from the tournament, Ajagbe said that he was not bothered by the tag of favourite for the competition. "I have been faced with many questions about the expectations from the tournament, but for me, I just want to have fun."

"There are lots of stress and anxiety when carrying the loads as a favorite, and this weighs players down and makes them not perform to their best."

"I don't want to put pressure on myself to win; I just want to give my best; if I win, that's good enough."

"Putting pressure on players to win cannot bring out the best in them; playing at home is already a pressure, and then adding the favourite tag is much more of a pressure for the player."

"For me, I don't have any toughest player I am expecting to play against because there are many factors that can contribute to either winning or losing a match," he said.

The Lagos International Squash Classics have eight countries vying for honours at the Molade-Okoya Thomas Hall Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere.

The 18,000-dollar prize tournament has representatives from Egypt, England, and France. Czech Republic, Hong Kong, and host Nigeria.

World No. 175 in squash wants to compete in the Lagos International Squash Classics for fun

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